Adjunct Professor Stewart Gill and Pipe Major Andrew McCabe holding the Association Trophy that the UQ Pipe Band won at the 2012 Queensland Grade 4 Champions.
Adjunct Professor Stewart Gill and Pipe Major Andrew McCabe holding the Association Trophy that the UQ Pipe Band won at the 2012 Queensland Grade 4 Champions.
18 June 2012

The University of Queensland Pipe Band at Emmanuel College (UQPBEC) has had a very successful result at the Queensland Pipe Band Championships, held at Limestone Park, Ipswich over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

The UQ Pipe Band at Emmanuel College became the 2012 Queensland Grade 4 Champions out of a field of 10 bands and was awarded the Association Trophy from the Queensland Pipe Band Association.

In addition to the overall win the band also took out the Donald Mackie Trophy for best Pipe Corps, the Association Trophy for best Drum Corps and also the award for best drill on the field for their grade.

The Queensland Championship win has continued the recent success of the UQPBEC, after achieving fourth in their grade at the 2012 Australian Pipe Band Championships in Ballarat against 15 other bands from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Pipe Major Andrew McCabe said the win was a very satisfying result and reflected the band members' hard work and effort.

"One member of the band traveled over 800km for weekend practices and to perform on the day," Mr McCabe said.

“The win was a fantastic achievement for the band and for The University of Queensland and Emmanuel College.

“There are only two pipe bands in Australia associated with universities – the other being the University of Ballarat Pipe Band – and so we are extremely proud to be able to represent UQ at such a level of competition success.”

The Queensland Championships featured a total of 15 bands from across Queensland and New South Wales where Queensland bands were first in all four grades of competition.

The day also incorporated the Queensland Solo Piping and Drumming Championships where within a total of 135 solo entrants included several members of the UQ Pipe Band at Emmanuel College.

“We encourage our band members to enter solo competitions, and every year more have taken up the challenge. It was great that most soloists got through to the finals of their heats and that there were several place winners,” Mr McCabe said.

The UQPBEC regularly performs at Emmanuel College and the University, and at a large variety of community events and functions including performances for charity, church services, parades, festivals and highland gatherings.

“The band has a full schedule of performances coming up, including the Ipswich Cup, Tartan Day at King George Square, playing at UQ Rugby matches as well as events at Emmanuel College, Brisbane Boys College, and performances for the Society of St Andrew of Scotland (Qld),” Mr McCabe said.

The band is supported and continues to develop and thrive under the patronage of Emmanuel College Principal, Professor Stewart Gill.

Practice occurs every Tuesday night from 5-8.30pm at Emmanuel College and membership is also open to those not experienced in playing pipes or drums. If you would like to learn, the band offers free tuition from 5-6pm. No musical experience is required.

For further information and details such as hiring the band, visit the band's website or facebook page or contact Emmanuel College.